Deputy Indicted on 5 Felony Counts

A Ventura County sheriff’s deputy accused of battering his wife on two occasions at the couple’s Thousand Oaks home has been indicted on five felony counts, authorities said Friday.

Deputy Gary Hughes, 40, pleaded not guilty to the charges during an arraignment Thursday, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Dee Corona, supervisor of the sexual assault and family protection unit.

With the indictment, prosecutors can skip a preliminary hearing and proceed directly to a jury trial, which is scheduled for Nov. 29.

Hughes, who is free on $20,000 bail, was originally charged with a single incident that allegedly occurred Sept. 16. During the month since his arrest, authorities learned of a second alleged attack Sept. 10.

“We obtained some information through some other sources,” that led to additional charges, Corona said.

In the Sept. 10 incident, Hughes is charged with spousal battery and brandishing his department-issued baton during an argument with his wife, Mona.

The charges from Sept. 16 are spousal battery, false imprisonment and making a terrorist threat, Corona said. Hughes was originally charged with brandishing the baton in the Sept. 16 incident, but Corona said the weapon was only exhibited on the earlier date.

In a court appearance with her husband, Mona Hughes told a judge the matter has been blown out of proportion. She also requested that a no-contact order be lifted so she could communicate with her husband, which was granted.

Hughes has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation, authorities said.